Directors In Focus: Hideaki Anno

He’s one of the most well-known and controversial figures in anime, a man who openly criticizes the behavior of his fans. Hideaki Anno created a name for himself in the anime business in the ’80s, and really rose to prominence in the ’90s with his signature creation “Neon Genesis Evangelion.” Though Anno is known primarily as an anime director, his forays into live-action haven’t gone unnoticed, and he’s won a few awards for some of his live-action direction. So, where does Hideaki “The Master” Anno’s story begin? A little factory town called Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, May 22nd, 1960.